this post was submitted on 21 Dec 2023
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I dunno if it's fake or not but the sentiment is real.
Ok, but can I break it down a bit?
The god atheist believe doesn't exist? Which god is that; all of them? The god described by "christians" that doesn't align with biblical context?
Which ever way you slice it i find it hard to believe this person's belief in said god keeps them from killing. Unless that god is preventing them from physically committing the act through some sort of psychic connection there is more at play than these people would admit.
There is a whole system of laws and a social contract that is way more intimidating then anything a hypothical god could impose. There is the human ability to empathize with others which would keep you from killing. There are also physical limitations and people are capable of defending themselves.
One could argue all these things were put in place by god. I think atheists would remain unmoved by that argument.
All that aside, christians, muslims, jews, etc have all killed in the name of god.
As far as the question of what God, "we" would say any and all God's don't exist. There is no "correct" religion, unless you think a bear is your God then I can't exactly deny the existence of bears, I just wouldn't think they created the universe and left themselves as bears lol
I'd say it's a combination of the things you suggested as far as what stops them exactly, this person could believe that their lack of a desire to kill was God stopping them, or it could be the fear of consequences in the afterlife, but there is definitely a fear of consequences from their fellow citizens. I live with that last sentiment as well: this is all we get so I want to be "good" to all those around me, not for fear of negative consequences for me, but the consequences of my actions creating a more negative experience for those around me. If God is real and is just then he'll judge my actions, not whether I believed he exists or not. If he does judge me for that, well I'll take it, I wouldn't care to be on that kind a of petty asshats good side anyway.
Either way, if I have to live in a world with religion I'm at least happy that it brings some people solace and it stops nutjobs from acting out (mostly.)